Tags: Broadcasting Thailand, Satellite TV, Infosat
Publication: NationMultimedia.com
Publication Date: 12/28/2012

Satellite TV Dish Image credit: Ruddington Photos

Manufacturers and distributors of Thai satellite TV systems are demanding reductions to the license fees collected by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) of Thailand. The companies want to be considered as key players in supporting and carrying quality content to viewers.

According to the NBTC, satellite TV network providers have to pay a license fee of two percent of the company’s gross income. Additionally, the firms also have to pay an extra two percent for the commission’s research and development fund.

For Niran Tangpiroontham, managing director of Infosat and president of Thailand’s Satellite Dish Club, manufacturers’ investment in over-the-air technology for satellite TV receivers makes the companies vital for the supply chain of the broadcasting industry in the country. This technology prevents blank screens while passing signals of copyrighted content through their networks.

The request was made to the NBTC during a public hearing for a draft regulation on license-fee reduction and exemption for cable/satellite and terrestrial TV broadcasting services. Under this draft regulation, satellite TV network providers that operate their own channels would be added to the NBTC’s list of companies that would be granted reductions on license fees.

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